Colorado

- 104, 000 square miles (8th largest state in the U. S. ) population: 4, 300, 000 people 39 persons per square mile highest elevation of any state Weather: 300 days of sunshine 1st snow in September, usually snowing somewhere in the state except August History: 16th century - visited by Spanish explorers 1706 - claimed for Spain by Juan de Ulibarri 1803 - the U. S. got eastern Colorado as part of the Louisiana Purchase 1845 - the U. S. got central portion with the admission of Texas as a state 1848 - the U. S. got western Colorado as a result of the Mexican War 1876 - 1st August, joining the Union as the 38th state Economy: tourism, especially the ski industry, and service-producing industries mining (oil, gas, coal, metal) agriculture and farm industry (corn, hay, wheat) home to companies that control half of the nations gold production ...